Wet weather problem: Slugs and snails

Do you have any plants in your garden that look like this? One of the most likely causes of ragged holes like this are slugs or snails:

Slugs and snails are probably among the most destructive pests that you can have in the garden and they are a particular problem in wet, warm weather, just like we have in Oxfordshire at the moment. We planted a garden up this morning and counted at least ten large, fat ones hiding in different places looking for a juicy young plant to eat. So warfare began.
Gardeners have several types of ammunition available, but if I could invent a total solution to the slug problem I would be a very rich woman and be blogging from my yacht.
Before resorting to chemical warfare here are some tried and tested ideas:

1. Direct assault. This consists of finding the whereabouts of the enemy (not always easy) and eliminating on sight. This was the tactic we used this morning. Our chosen method of killing was drowning in the conveniently newly built wildlife pond (but a bucket will do.)
2. Squashing them underfoot, or with a spade, or any other hand assault weapon, for the birds to eat.
3. Pouring salt on them will dehydrate slugs and snails and is a slow lingering death if you really hate them.
   
4. Throwing into the neighbours’ garden is a very last resort and not to be recommended if you want to remain on friendly terms (with your neighbour that is.)
5. Look for the enemy in places they like to hide, e.g. old pots and containers, dry stone walls (a particular problem for us in the Cotswolds,) under decking or bags of compost.
   
6. Fill a small bowl with stale beer. Put it in the areas where the slugs are active. Stale beer attracts the slugs and they drown.
   Old grapefruit skins will entice the enemy into an overnight shelter and in the morning they can be picked off and destroyed as above.
7. Put a layer of grit, coffee, oats, salt, eggs shells, cedar bark, or lime (not on acidic soil) around particularly vulnerable plants. If you’re new to gardening you’ll soon get to know what these are, but delphiniums, hostas, and lupins are particularly vulnerable.
   
   When using plants in a design for clients I tend to steer clear of plants that are vulnerable to slugs and use plants that are less susceptible. If you have a garden that is full of slugs, this is probably your best option.